Curtain-fixture.



H. E. KEELER.

CURTAIN FIXTURE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 7, 1904. 978, 379. v Patented Dec.13,1910.

UNITED OFFICE.

HERBERT E. KEELER, OF NEW YORK, N. 'L, ASSIGNOR TO CURTAIN SUPPLYCOMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

CURTAIN-FIXTURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 13, 1910.

Application filed November 7, 1904. Serial No. 231,701.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT E. Knnnnn, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of New York city, in the county and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Curtain- Fixturesof which the following is a specification, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, which form a part of the same.

This invention relates to curtain fixtures and relates especially tofixtures which are employed in connection with spring'actu-- atedcurtains in railway cars and other similar positions.

In the accompanying drawings in which the same reference numeral refersto similar parts in the several figures, Figure 1 is a front Viewshowing an embodiment of this invention applied to a curtain. Fig. 2 isanenlarged sectional view of part of the same. Fig. 3 is a similarenlarged sectional view of a modified construction. Fig. 4 is a similarView of a further modification.

In the illustrated embodiment of this invention,acurtain 1 is shown assecured at its upper end to the ordinary spring roller 23 mounted at thetop of the window opening. Suitable guideways 3 in the form of groovesor otherwise are formed in the posts 2 adjacent the curtain so as toguide the fixture in its operation. In the lower end of the curtainthere is firmly secured the weighting bar 20 preferably havingsufficient weight in connection with the curtain fixture tosubstantially counterbalance the upward pull of the spring rollerthroughout the range of action of the curtain. The curtain stick 5 isalso secured to the lower end of the curtain in a suitable pocket formedtherein or otherwise and if desired this curtain stick may be accuratelyand firmly secured in position by the use of the plate 21 which isplaced on the outside of the curtain and which is screwed or otherwisefirmly secured to the curtain stick in the manner indicated. The curtainstick may be given the tubular form indicated and as shown in Fig. 1carries at either end suitable shoes 4 which cooperate with theguideways.

As is shown in detail in Fi 2 the shoe 1 is mounted upon the spindle l0entering the curtain stick and the hole in the stick also carries theplunger 6 which is practically an extension of the spindle and connectedthereto by the stem 9 rigidly secured to the planger by the screwconnection and pin 15 and having an adjustable screw connection with thespindle as indicated. The spindle and shoe are normally forced outwardtoward the end of the stick and thus the two shoes forced apart by theholding spring 7, the inner end of which engages the plug 8 in thecurtain stick. The extent of reciprocation of the spindle and shoe ispreferably limited by the guide screw 14 engaging the plunger (3 andoperating in a suitable slot in the curtain stick. The extent to whichthe shoe is forced outward is also made adjustable by any suitablemeans. \Vhen the alining screw 12 is removed the spindle may be screwedin or out on the stem and when in the desired position the screw may beinserted through the alining slot indicated in the tube and screwed intoone of the threaded openings 13 in the spindle, thus maintaining theshoe in desired position when forced outward and also preventing anyrotation of the shoe relative to the stick. In this way the shoe ismounted on the curtain stick so as to have a limited adjustablereciprocation without rotation with respect thereto, being normallypressed outward under the action of the holding spring. This feature ofhaving both the spririg-pressed shoes .mounted in' the curtain stick soas to have a limited reciprocation without rotation with respect theretois shown in my copending application, No. 159,152, filed April 1.1,1903. Both the shoes are preferably mounted on the curtain stick so thatthey are not allowed rotation with respect thereto, but itisnotnecessary that both the shoes have the adjustable springpressed mountingwhich has just been described. If desired, however, both shoes may bemounted at the ends of the curtain stick by the means which has justbeen described in detail.

The shoes -1- which are preferably elongated, are indicated as beingprovided with retaining members 22 which are adapted to remain in theguideways and thus guide the ends of the fixture during its adjustmentand the shoes are also provided with holding members such as 11,'whichpreferably proj cct considerably beyond the plane of the re tainingmembers so as to readily engage the 'uideways when the fixture is leveland unor these conditions exert suflicient pressure against theguideways under the spring action described or otherwise so to securelymaintain the curtain in adjusted position. As soon, however, as thecurtain is tilted into an inclined position, as is indicated in Fig. 1,the holding members no longer actively engage the guideways and sincethese holding members project suii'icicntly beyond the rest of the faceof the shoe, including the retaining members there is no active holdingengagement between the shoes and the guideway when the curtain is cantedto any considerable extent, the extent to which the shoes are pressedout ard being so adjusted as to give the proper holding action, and alsoto effect the release of the shoes from active holdingcontact under thedesired conditions. In this canted position the curtain at once tends toresume a horizontal position when released under the influence of theupward action of the curtain roller and the downward tendency of thefixture due to the weight of the parts, the retaining members of theelongated shoes remaining in the guideways and being guided by theirlateral faces, and retaining the fixture and curtain in the desiredplane. When the curtain falls entirely or substantially into levelposition the holding members once more actively engage the uideways andeffectually prevent any further movement, holding the curtain inadjusted position. l urthermore, even if the curtain is so unusuallymanipulated as to throw one of the shoes entirely out of its guideway,the other shoe which naturally remains in its guideway under theseconditions maintains the alinement of the curtain stick and thedisplaced shoe so that when released the displacec shoe tends to fallback into the guide; way in proper position and the stick and displacedslice cannot rotate about the axis of the stick so that the shoe canbecome wedged or locked in a transverse position across the guideway.

The extent of the projection of the holding members beyond the rest ofthe shoe should, of course, be made such as to give the requisiteclearance when the particular fixture is in inclined position and theholding members should, of course, be made of such material and beprovided with such surface to give in connection with the guideways thedesired degree of holding power. If desired, the holding members may befaced with leather, rubber or other gripping material, as is shown inFig. 4 where the shoe 2% is provided with the holding member 27 ofleather or similar material secured in the slotted or similar casing 25by suitable rivets 28. This arrangement gives the requisite holdingpower with a less outward pressure of the shoes against the guideways.Furthermore, if desired, the retain 111g members 26 may be formed ofsimilar relatively soft material which is sometimes advantageous inpreventing under all circumstances the denting or marring of expensivewoodwork and for this purpose the soft materials should be arrangedsubstantially flush with the lateral faces of the head. Such heads are,of course, provided with a spindle 10 and are mounted in the curtainstick as has been described.

Fig. 3 indicates a modified form of shoe in which the spindle 15 issecured to a. holding member 16 of any desired material to activelyengage the guideway and hold the curtain in adjusted position. Theretaining members 17 in this instance are formed of metal or any otherdesired material and this cross-head is provided with the slot 18 in thecenter for the accommodation of the holding member 16 which is securedthereto by a suitable pivot 19, the holding member being preferablylightly engaged by the lateral faces of the slot 18 so that excessiveangular displacementof the parts is prevented.

It is, of course, understood that those familiar with this art may makemany modifications in the form, proportion and numbers of parts of thisdevice, parts of the same may be employed without using the whole andparts may be used in connection with other devices without departingfrom the spirit of this invention or losing the advantages of the same.1 do not, therefore, desire to be limited to the details of the disclosure which has been made in this case, but

What is claimed as new and what it is desired to secure by LettersPatent is set forth in the appended claims.

1. In curtain fixtures, a spring-actuated curtain, guideways adjacentsaid curtain, a curtain stick and a weighting bar secured to saidcurtain, elongated shoes mounted at either end of said stick so as notto rotate with respect thereto and cooperating with said guideways,projecting holding members on said shoes to actively engage saidguideways, retaining members on said shoes to prevent the angulardisplacement of said shoes, a spring in said stick to press said shoesapart and means to limit the extreme distance between said shoes so thatwhen the curtain is canted to any considerable eX- tent the holdingmembers are entirely released from active engagement with said guidewayswhile said retaining members prevent the angular movement of said shoeswith respect to the axis of said curtain stick.

2. In curtain fixtures, a spring-actuated shoes, said shoes beingprovided with holding members projecting beyond the outward faces ofsaid shoes to actively engage the guideways when the curtain is leveland said shoes being entirely released from active holding engagementwith said guideways when said fixture is tilted.

3. In curtain fixtures, a spring-actuated curtain, guideways adjacentsaid curtain, a curtain stick mounted in said curtain, elongated shoesmounted at either end of said stick, means to force said shoes apart,means to limit the extreme distance between said shoes, each shoe beingprovided with a holding member projecting beyond the outer face of theshoe to be forced outward into active holding engagement with theguideway when the fixture is level and to be entirely released fromactive engagement with the guideway when the fixture is tilted.

4. In a curtain fixture, a spring-actuated curtain, guideways adjacentsaid curtain, a curtain stick mounted in said curtain, shoes mounted ateither end of said curtain stick held against rotation with respectthereto and cooperating with said guideways, spring acting means toforce said shoes apart, adjustable means to limit the extreme distancebetween said shoes while allowing their reciprocation, each of saidshoes being provided with separated retaining members and with a holdingmember substantially in line with said curtain stick projecting outwardbeyond the plane of said retaining members and being pressed outwardinto active holding contact with said guideways when said fixture islevel and said shoes being released from holding contact with saidguideways when said fixture is tilted.

5. In curtain fixtures, a spring-actuated curtain, gnideways adjacentsaid curtain, a curtain stick secured to said curtain, elongated shoeshaving spindles engaging said curtain stick at either end of the sameand having a pin and slot connection therewith, means to force saidshoes apart, means to limit their extreme distance from each other, saidshoes having holding members to be forced into active holding contactwith said gnideways when said curtain is level.

6. In curtain fixtures, a spring-actuated curtain, guideways adjacentsaid curtain, a curtain stick mounted in said curtain, elongated shoesmounted at either end of said curtain stick without rotation withrespect thereto and eoope'ating with said guideways, one of said shoesbeing provided with a spindle having a pin and slot connection with saidcurtain stick, a plunger forming an extension of said spindle andadjustably connected therewith, means to limit the extent of thereciprocation of said plunger and a spring engaging said plunger tonormally force said shoes apart.

7. In curtain fixtures, a curtain stick having a hole formed therein, ashoe provided with a spindle fitting into said hole, said spindle havinga threaded opening, a plunger in the hole in said curtain stick andhaving a threaded stein secured thereto fitting into the opening in saidspindle, a spring engaging said plunger and normally forcing it outward,a pin and slot connection between said plunger and said curtain stick tolimit the outward movement of said plunger and shoe, there being a slotin said curtain stick and a cooperating hole in said spindle and a screwremovably secured in said hole to prevent the rotation of said shoe withrespect to said stick and said screw allowing the relative adjustment ofsaid spindle and plunger when removed.

8. In curtain fixtures, a curtain stick having a hole, a shoe formedwith a spindle fitting into said hole, a plunger in said hole andadjustably connected with said spindle, said plunger having a pin andslot connection with said curtain stick and being normally forcedoutward, said plunger having n'ieans to limit its reciprocation withrespect to said stick and means to prevent the rotation of said spindlewith respect to said stick.

E). In curtain fixtures, a curtain stick having a hole, a shoe ha vinp'a spindle fitting into said hole, a plunger in said hole and adjustablyconnected with said spindle, and plunger having means to normally forceit outward and having means to limit its reciprocation and to prevent.its rotation with respect to said stick and means to prevent therotation of said shoe with respect to said stick.

10. In curtain fixtures, a curtain, guideways adjacent said curtain, acurtain stick secured to said curtain elongated shoes having spindlesengaging said curtain stick at either end of the same, one of said shoeshaving a pin and slot connection with said stick, means to force saidshoes apart and to limit their extreme distance from each other, saidshoes having holding members to be forced into active holding contactwith .said guideways when said curtain is level.

11. In curtain fixtures, a curtain, open guideways adjacent saidcurtain, a curtain stick secured to said curtain, an elongated shoemounted on said curtain stick and normally projecting verticallytherefrom and a pin and slot connection to prevent relative rotationbetween said shoe and curtain stick, the guideway cooperating with saidelongated shoe being non-confining and allowing said shoe to freely tiltout of said guideway.

12. In curtain fixtures, a curtain, open guideways adjacent saidcurtain, a curtain stick secured to said curtain and having a hole, anelongated T-shaped shoe cooperating with said guideways and having aspindle fitting into said hole and a pin and slot sliding connectionbetween said spindle and said curtain stick, the guideway cooperatingwith said elongated shoe being non-confining and allowing said shoe tofreely tilt out of said guideway.

13. In curtain fixtures, a curtain, open guideways adjacent saidcurtain, a curtain stick secured to said curtain, elongated shoesmounted at either end of said stick and normally projecting verticallytherefrom, one of said shoes having a pin and slot sliding connectionwith said stick, and means to force said shoes apart, said guidewaysbeing nonconfining and allowing the elongated shoes to freely tilt outof said guideways.

14. In curtain fixtures, a spring-actuated curtain, guideways adjacentsaid curtain, a curtain stick and a weighting bar secured to saidcurtain, elongated shoes mounted at either end of said stick so as notto rotate with respect thereto and cooperating with said guideways,projecting holding members on said shoes extending outward from theplane of said shoes to actively engage said guideways, retaining memberson said shoes located on each side of the holding members to prevent theangular displacement of said shoes, a spring in said stick to press saidshoes apart and means to limit the extreme distance between said shoesso that when the curtain is canted to any considerable extent theholding members are entirely released from active engagement with saidguideways while said retaining members prevent the angular movement ofsaid shoes with respect to the axis of said curtain stick.

15. In curtain fixtures, a spring-actuated curtain, guideways adjacentsaid curtain, a curtain stick mounted in said curtain, elongated shoesmounted at either end of said stick so as not to rotate with respectthereto, means to press said shoes apart and means to limit the extremedistance between said shoes, said shoes being each provided with aholding member projecting beyond the outward faces of said shoes andsubstantially in line with the curtain stick to actively engage theguideways when the curtain is level and said shoes being entirelyreleased from active holding engagement with said guideways when saidfixture is tilted, and retaining members on the shoes adapted to engagewith guideways only when the curtain is tilted.

16. The combination with a casing pro-' vided with guideways and a shadehaving a shade-bar, of holding means carried by the ends of said bar,each of said holding means including a friction-head adapted for contactwith the bottom of the respective guideways when the shade-bar is in itsnormal or horizontal position, and means to prevent disengagement of theholding-fixtures from the guideways when. the shade-bar is in a tiltedposition, said means being constructed and arranged so that they willnot simultaneously contact with the bottoms of the respective guidewaysin any position of the shadebar. I

HERBERT E. KEELER. Witnesses:

HARRY L. DUNCAN, JAMEs N. CATLoN.

